Absorbent paper product having source identifying emboss element

ABSTRACT

A rolled absorbent paper product. The rolled absorbent paper product includes an absorbent paper substrate having at least one ply with an emboss pattern comprising two visually distinct emboss design elements disposed in a plurality of predetermined, spaced-apart positions across the ply. The two emboss design elements comprise a first emboss design element occupying all but at least one of the positions in a first repeating pattern, and a second emboss design element occupying the at least one of the positions not occupied by the first emboss design element. The second emboss design element can be a word comprising a line emboss defining line-embossed letters wherein each letter comprises an open area within the line emboss. The first and second emboss design elements can each have an emboss area of from about 7% to about 25% and a difference in emboss area relative to each other of less than about 10%.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure relates to embossed absorbent paper products, such asbath tissue, facial tissue, and paper towels and to methods of makingsuch paper products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Absorbent paper products, such as bath tissue, facial tissue, and papertowels are well known. Such products are commonly used in households,businesses, restaurants, shops, and the like. Often absorbent paperproducts are embossed to provide an aesthetically pleasing look to anexposed surface of the absorbent paper product. Embossing is also knownto be useful for aiding in bonding multiple plies of absorbent papertogether to form a multi-ply absorbent paper product.

Methods for making absorbent paper products are also well known.Typically absorbent paper products are made by wet laying processes inwhich a fibrous slurry of cellulosic fibers is deposited on a formingwire and thereafter dried by known processes such as through-air-drying,press felts, and Yankee drum drying. Absorbent paper products can becreped or non-creped, and can be converted after drying into multi-ply,embossed, and/or rolled absorbent paper products.

Manufacturers of absorbent paper products desire that consumers of suchproducts be able to distinguish between the varieties of absorbent paperproducts on the market. One way a manufacturer can distinguish itsproduct from the products of other manufacturers is by the embossdesigns and emboss pattern visible to the consumer. For example, in arolled format, such as is common for bath tissue and paper towels, thelast wrap of absorbent paper product can be exposed and visible to aconsumer. If the rolled absorbent paper product is wrapped in a packagethat is at least partially transparent, the emboss design pattern can beseen through the packaging. A consumer can make a buying decision basedon a preferred emboss design pattern.

When an absorbent paper product is in use, such as in a consumer's home,it can be difficult, if not impossible, for one to identify themanufacturer and/or marketer of the absorbent paper product. Consumersare generally not apprised of the various emboss patterns that variousmanufacturers/marketers use. Because at the time of use the absorbentpaper product packaging is rarely around to check, if a consumer usesthe absorbent paper product and likes it, the consumer has no way toreadily ascertain the manufacturer, the marketer, or, for example, abrand name.

Even if a consumer does know the manufacturer of the absorbent paperproduct by its brand name, the consumer can be reminded during use ofthe source of the paper product. Accordingly, it would be desirable tohave an absorbent paper product having an emboss design pattern thatfacilitates identification of a manufacturer.

Additionally, it would be desirable to have a rolled absorbent paperproduct having an emboss design pattern visible on an outside layer thatfacilitates identification of a manufacturer. Further, it would bedesirable to have a rolled absorbent paper product having an embossdesign pattern visible on an outside layer that reinforces to a userduring use the product the identification of a manufacturer.

Still further, it would be desirable to have an absorbent paper productfor which even if a consumer does know the manufacturer of the absorbentpaper product by its brand name, the consumer can be reminded during useof the source of the paper product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A rolled absorbent paper product is disclosed. The rolled absorbentpaper product includes an absorbent paper substrate having at least oneply with an emboss pattern comprising two visually distinct embossdesign elements disposed in a plurality of predetermined, spaced-apartpositions across the ply. The two emboss design elements comprise afirst emboss design element occupying all but at least one of thepositions in a first repeating pattern, and a second emboss designelement occupying the at least one of the positions not occupied by thefirst emboss design element. The second emboss design element can be aword comprising a line emboss defining line-embossed letters whereineach letter comprises an open area within the line emboss. The first andsecond emboss design elements can each have an emboss area of from about7% to about 25% and a difference in emboss area relative to each otherof less than about 10%.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a photograph of a rolled absorbent paper embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a representative emboss pattern of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of a portion of an emboss roll embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of one example of a repeating embosspattern useful in the present invention.

FIGS. 4A-4C are representative emboss design elements.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an example of a surface of an emboss roll ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5A is a magnified view of a portion of the emboss roll of FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a representative depiction of a portion of a line-embossedword emboss element of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional representation of cross section 7-7 of FIG.6.

FIG. 8 is a representative depiction of a portion of a line-embossedword emboss element of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment, the present invention is an absorbent paper producthaving at least one ply with an emboss pattern comprising two visuallydistinct emboss design elements disposed in a plurality ofpredetermined, spaced apart positions across the product. The absorbentpaper product can be a facial tissue, bath tissue, paper towel, napkin,or the like, and can be provided in roll form, as is common for bathtissue and paper towels.

The absorbent paper of the absorbent paper product can be any of knownabsorbent paper known for use as facial tissue, bath tissue, papertowel, napkin, or the like, and will not be described in detail herein.By way of example, absorbent paper suitable for use in the presentinvention include the absorbent paper utilized in currently marketedfacial tissues including PUFFS® and KLEENEX®, currently marketed bathtissues such as CHARMIN®, COTTONELLE®, ANGEL SOFT®, and ULTRA NORTHERN®,currently marketed paper towels such as BOUNTY®, VIVA®, and BRAWNY®. Ingeneral, any absorbent paper product made by known papermaking methods,including wet laying and through air drying, and which can be embossed,can be utilized in the present invention. Therefore, the descriptionbelow is non-limiting with respect to the particular absorbent paperproduct to be embossed, the particular manufacturing method, or theparticular format (e.g., rolled or stacked/interleaved).

One embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 1, which shows a roll10 of absorbent paper product 12. The absorbent paper product 12 shownin FIG. 1 is a paper towel product, which has been wet laid, through airdried, and creped, as is known in the art, prior to being embossed withthe pattern shown. The pattern shown in FIG. 1 is representative only.As shown in FIG. 1, the absorbent paper product 12 can have two visuallydistinct emboss design elements, a first emboss design element 14, whichin FIG. 1 includes two concentric diamonds, and a second emboss designelement 16, which in FIG. 1 is in the form of the brand name BOUNTY®.First emboss design element 14 can be any shape, design, or combinationof shapes and designs, and can be included with other emboss elements,such as the wavy line design 18 formed from relatively closely spaceddot embossments 20. In general, visually distinct emboss design elementsare design elements that can be visually distinguished as discrete,separate design elements, which design elements can be disposed in aregular, substantially repeating pattern, as shown in FIG. 1 (only oneof second emboss design element 16 is shown in FIG. 1). Thus, the embossdesign elements disclosed herein are disclosed as representative only,and virtually any emboss design element can be utilized for either firstor second emboss design elements.

As shown in FIG. 1, a roll of absorbent paper product 10 which has beenembossed can include an emboss design element which is a sourceidentifier, i.e., a logo, a trademark, or a brand name, such as BOUNTY®as shown in FIG. 1. The brand name can be the second emboss designelement 16, and can be spaced in any pattern at predetermined positionsaccording the present invention. Having the manufacturer's and/ormarketer's logo, trademark, or brand name embossed in a visuallydistinct emboss element on an absorbent paper product assures that theconsumer, or other user, can readily identify the manufacturer and/ormarketer of the absorbent paper product during use. Therefore, theconsumer can be reminded of the manufacturer and/or marketer and themanufacturer's and/or marketer's brand equity can be reinforced to theconsumer. If the consumer likes the absorbent paper product, he or shecan be reminded during use of the source, and can be better informed tomake the same purchase next time he or she shops for absorbent paperproducts.

FIG. 2 shows a portion of a web of absorbent paper product 12. Absorbentpaper product 12 can be made on wet-laid papermaking machines, which asis known, in commercial operations produces parent rolls of absorbentpaper product having a machine direction MD and a cross direction CD.The MD represents the direction of travel as the absorbent paper productis being made on the paper machine. The CD represents the crossdirection, which at its maximum is the width of the web of paper as itis being made (or the width of a finished paper product, such as a papertowel). Absorbent paper product 12 can have spaced apart lines ofweakness 24, which can be in the form of perforations, which in thefinished product facilitate tearing off one sheet at a time. Forexample, rolled absorbent paper products, such as bath tissue and papertowels typically have perforations which permit the user to tear off asheet (or a plurality of sheets) at the location of the perforation.Additionally, the parent roll can be cut by a log saw to produce aplurality of finished rolls of a predetermined width. As shown in FIG.2, the log saw can cut along lines 32 to form a finished roll having aroll width W.

The solid lines 34 forming two adjacent rectangles in FIG. 2 areintended to represent two individual, adjacent sheets 36 of a finishedroll of absorbent paper product, such as a finished roll of paper towelsin a Select-a-Size® format. Each sheet 36 is defined in the CD by thesettings of the log saw which cuts the parent roll, and in the MD by thespacing of lines of weakness 24.

As shown in FIG. 2, emboss design elements occupy positions 22 which canbe predetermined positions, each position of which can be occupied byeither a first emboss design element 14, or a second emboss designelement 16, or no emboss design element. In an embodiment, positions 22can be determined by the use of a grid 26, which can be an imaginary, ordigitally overlaid, grid which does not actually appear on the absorbentpaper product 12, but which can be a tool for conceptualizing anddesigning an emboss pattern. A portion of a representative grid 26 isshown in FIG. 2. As shown, a grid 26 of the present invention can be agrid of parallel straight lines 28 in the machine direction, MD,intersecting with parallel straight lines in the cross direction, CD. Inthe embodiment shown, positions 22 are predetermined to be every otherintersection in both the MD and the CD. For clarity, positions 22 can beany predetermined location on the absorbent paper product 12 at which adesigner desires an emboss design element. In practice, it can betypical to make such design elements in a regular, repeating pattern. Inthe present invention, a first emboss design element 14 can be disposedin a substantially regular, repeating pattern at most of the positions22, with the exception of the positions 22 at which are disposed seconddesign emboss elements 16.

The concept and description of “positions” as used herein is utilized toconvey the enabling concept of a predetermined distribution of embossdesign elements that can also be utilized on commercial embossingequipment as is known in the art. Known embossing rollers typicallyprovide for a nip between a rubber roll and a steel roll, or two steelrolls. Of course, all manner of roll types, number of rolls, materials,and nip configurations can be employed in the present invention.However, to be commercially viable the patterned emboss roll can bebalanced; that is, the pattern can be designed such that the areaoccupied by emboss elements is substantially equal as a percentageacross the face of the emboss roll. In an embodiment, for a specifiedarea surrounding each position 22 the emboss design element (andportions of emboss elements) encompassed in that area has an area ofemboss that is substantially equal to the area of emboss for thespecified area at every other position 22 having emboss elements.Therefore, the number of positions is not important, but the spacing andplacement can be designed to ensure that on average the area of embosssurrounding each position 22 is substantially equal across the face ofthe emboss roller.

In an embodiment, therefore, in the present invention, first embossdesign elements 14 and second emboss design elements 16 can havesubstantially equal emboss areas relative to each other, such that whenspaced generally regularly in a repeating pattern at some or all ofpositions 22, the emboss roll can be balanced. A balanced emboss rollexperiences less wear and, therefore, lasts longer with fewer othermechanical problems such as excessive vibration, than an unbalancedroll.

In an embodiment, the first and second emboss design elements (alongwith any other emboss elements such as closely spaced dot embossments 20in a predetermined area, as discussed below) each have an emboss area offrom about 7% to about 25%, including every tenth of a percent between7% and 25%, for example 16.9%. In an embodiment, the relative differencebetween the emboss area of first emboss design element 14 and secondemboss design element 16 can be less than about 10%, or less than about7%, or less than about 5%, or less than about 3%. Emboss area of anemboss element in an embossed absorbent paper product can be determinedby considering the area of the emboss roll elements which produced theemboss in the embossed absorbent paper product, the emboss roll elementsproducing a close approximation in area on the embossed absorbent paperproduct. In an embodiment, the emboss area of an emboss element can bedetermined by utilizing a visual image in which emboss elements areoutlined, either by hand or electronically, and the emboss areadetermined by mathematical calculations.

In accordance with the understanding of the above description withrespect to positions and roll balancing, the number, spacing andplacement of first and second emboss design elements can be varied forthe desired visual impression desired by the manufacturer or marketer ofthe absorbent paper product. However, for rolled absorbent paperproducts 10 of the present invention, in an embodiment the number,spacing and placement of second emboss design elements 16 can besufficient to ensure that at least one second emboss design element 16at least partially intersects with a line of weakness 24, as shown inFIG. 2. In an embodiment, the number, spacing and placement of secondemboss design elements 16 can be sufficient to ensure that at least two,or at least 4, or at least 6, or at least 8, or at least 10, or at least12 second emboss design elements 16 at least partially intersects with aline of weakness 24. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, each second embossdesign element 16 at least partially intersects with a line of weakness24. It is not necessary that every second emboss design element 16 atleast partially intersects with a line of weakness 24, but at least onecan.

The advantage of producing a rolled absorbent paper product in which oneor more second emboss design elements 16 intersects at one or more linesof weakness 24 is maximized when the second emboss design element 16 isa source identifier, such as a logo, brand name or trademark. When aperson is using a paper towel, for example, and reaches to tear off onesheet, the user's eyes are drawn to the roll of paper towels, andspecifically can be drawn to the line of weakness at which the tearpropagates. Thus, in the action of the user's ordinary behavior oftearing off a paper towel, the user is necessarily exposed to a visualrepresentation of the manufacturer's and/or marketer's logo, brand name,or trademark. This activity, which of course can hold for all rolledabsorbent paper products including bath tissue, helps ensure that themanufacturer's and/or marketers' identification is reinforced as theuser is reminded of the source of the rolled absorbent product.

The logo, brand name, or trademark can be embossed by providing for thelogo, brand name, or trademark on the emboss roll, such as therepresentative emboss roll 38 shown in FIG. 3. The emboss roll 38 shownin FIG. 3 can be a steel roll manufactured by means known in the art forsteel emboss rolls. The mating roll (not shown) can be a rubber (orother soft-surface) roll, or a mating steel roll, as is known in theart. The representative emboss roll 38 shown in FIG. 3 produces anemboss pattern on absorbent paper product 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.Thus, as can be understood, a first emboss roll element 40 including twoconcentric diamonds corresponds to first emboss design element 14, and asecond emboss roll element 42 of the brand name BOUNTY® corresponds tosecond emboss design element 16. As with the pattern shown in FIG. 2,additional emboss roll elements, such as the point (or dot, or spot)emboss roll elements 44 can be disposed in a closely spaced arrangementto form a wavy line emboss roll pattern 46. With respect to determiningroll balance and percent area of emboss elements at any given position22, the point emboss roll elements 44 can be taken into account.

As can be understood from the description above and with respect toFIGS. 2 and 3, in the present invention the emboss roll 38 can have apattern of regularly spaced first emboss roll elements 40 where atcertain of positions 22 a second emboss roll element 42 can besubstituted so as to provide for a periodic embossment of a logo, brandname, or trademark, while maintaining relatively little percent embossarea difference between first emboss roll elements and second embossroll elements (including, as necessary, other surrounding embosselements such as point emboss roll elements 44). As can be appreciatedfrom FIG. 3, second emboss roll element 42 may displace, i.e., replace,some of the point emboss roll elements 44 that form wavy line embossroll pattern 46. The number of point emboss roll elements 44 that aredisplaced can be adjusted depending on the size and emboss area of theline embossment elements of second emboss roll design elements 42 so asto maintain a relatively low emboss area difference between first embossroll elements 40 and second emboss roll elements 42.

A representative pattern repeat for the representative emboss patternshown in FIGS. 1-3 is shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 can represent a designdrawing pattern repeat, as well as represent the pattern of the firstemboss roll elements 40 or, correspondingly, when applied to theabsorbent paper product in an embossing unit operation, FIG. 4 canrepresent a pattern repeat of the first emboss design elements 14 in thefinished absorbent paper product 12. In an embodiment, and forsimplicity, as discussed above the method for how to calculate an embosselement area can be accomplished to a close, working approximation bycalculating the area of emboss roll 38 elements. For any position 22 atwhich an emboss roll element is centered, an inscribed area 48 can bedetermined, such as by defining a closed perimeter, such as circle 50,centered about position 22. Of course, the inscribed area 48 need not bea circle, but can be any shape sufficient to inscribe at least oneemboss element, such as a square, as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, sufficient toinscribe emboss roll element 40. Also, as can be understood by thedescription herein, the inscribed area 48 can also inscribe or partiallyinscribe other emboss elements as long as a consistent inscribed area 48is applied to all positions 22 occupied by an emboss roll element.

Once an inscribed area 48 is determined, the area of the flattened facesF (as shown in FIG. 7, which is a representative cross-sectionaldepiction of all emboss roll embossments of the present invention) ofemboss roll elements, such as the paper-contacting outer surface of theline elements making up first emboss roll elements 40 (and portionsthereof, as shown in FIG. 4, in which inscribed area 48 includes partsof the four outer first emboss roll elements 40), as well as pointemboss roll elements 44. The area of the substantially flat faces of thevarious emboss roll elements can be added to arrive at a total area ofembossment. The total area of embossment can be divided by the inscribedarea 48 to arrive at a percent emboss area for any given emboss elementsaround a position 22 at which emboss elements are centered.

As shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, the inscribed area 48 can be a square, and thesecond emboss design element can include line embossed letters (FIG. 4A)or block-embossed letters (FIG. 4C). Block-embossed letters, which areletters in which the entire letter is embossed, can be used for thelogo, brand name, or trademark of the second emboss design element, but,of course, will have a higher emboss area. In an embodiment, the percentemboss area for first emboss elements 16 (and, correspondingly, firstemboss roll elements 40) can be substantially equal to the percentemboss area for second emboss design elements 14 (and, correspondingly,second emboss roll elements 42).

For the emboss design elements shown by way of example herein in FIGS. 1and 2, as formed by an emboss roll as shown in FIG. 3 (or similarthereto), and for emboss areas calculated by inscribing a squareinscribed area 48 as shown in FIGS. 4-A-4C, the percent emboss areas canbe as follows (emboss areas of all inscribed emboss elements, includingpoint emboss roll elements 44 and inscribed portions of line embossments56). The percent emboss area for the second emboss design element 16(or, to a close, working approximation, the second emboss roll element42) as shown in FIG. 4A, can be about 15.6%. The percent emboss area forthe first emboss design element 14 (or, to a close, workingapproximation, the first emboss roll element 40) as shown in FIG. 4B,can be about 16.9%. The percent emboss area for the second emboss designelement 16 (or, to a close, working approximation, the second embossroll element 42) as shown in FIG. 4A, can be about 20.3%. In anembodiment, the difference in emboss area of a first emboss roll elementto a second emboss roll element can be less than about 10%, or less thanabout 7%, or less than about 5%, or less than about 3%. In a likemanner, the difference in emboss area of the embossments in the finishedabsorbent paper product 12 can be determined, either by directmeasurement, or by close approximation to the emboss roll elementsresponsible for making their respective first emboss design elements 13or second design elements 16 or closely spaced dot embossments 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, first and second emboss roll elements 40, 42 cancomprise unbroken, or substantially continuous ridge elements 54 thatform line embossments 56 in the embossed absorbent paper product 12 (asshown in FIG. 1). Line embossments present certain challenges for thepurposes of embossing absorbent paper products. For example, due to webtensions during converting operations, including embossing, lineembossments oriented in the MD tend to cause puckering after embossingand after tension is released from the absorbent paper product.Puckering may desired, in which case MD line embossments can beutilized; otherwise, however, certain design constraints can be utilizedin the present invention, such as minimizing the length of a line embosselement oriented in the MD. In an embodiment of the present inventionthere are no line embossments having a length greater than aboutone-quarter inch, or greater than about one-eighth of an inch, orientedin the MD. In an embodiment of the present invention, for any givencontinuous line embossment (e.g., one diamond shape of the first embossroll element), less than 25%, or less than 10%, or less than 5% of theline length is oriented in the MD. Stated differently, and asillustrated in FIG. 4, any given unbroken ridge element 54 (or lineembossment 56 in the absorbent paper product) can have a vectorcomponent 58 in the MD and a vector component 60 in the CD. In anembodiment, the vector component in the CD is sufficient to render thelinear element to make an angle A of at least about 10 degrees off anaxis parallel to the CD.

In general, as shown in FIG. 4, it is believed to be good embosspractice to cause the entire roll emboss pattern to repeat at a slightangle B with respect to a reference line 52 parallel to the emboss rollaxis. Angle B can be from about 1 degree to about 5 degrees, and can beabout 2 degrees, 2.5 degrees, 3 degrees, 3.5 degrees, or about 2.6degrees.

FIG. 5 shows a representative surface 58 of an emboss roll 38 in a flatout configuration. That is, FIG. 5 shows the surface 58 of an embossroll 38 as it would look if it were “unrolled” and laid flat.CD-oriented centerline 60 can also be considered to represent a rollaxis when the surface is curved about the emboss roll. As shown, anemboss roll can have a roll width RW, and a roll circumference RC. In anembodiment the roll width RW can be about 110 inches and the rollcircumference RC can be from about 36 inches to about 200 inches. Embossroll 38 can comprise a plurality of first emboss roll elements 40occupying positions 22 in regular repeating pattern which is completeexcept for the substitution in certain positions 22 of second embossroll elements 42. As can be seen by observing the reference lines 62drawn through three representative sets of second emboss roll elements42, the second emboss roll elements 42 can be disposed in positions 22such that they are inclined at an angle C with respect to axis 60, andcan be disposed in a spiral about the circumference of emboss roll 38.

A representative second emboss roll element 42 (which can produce asecond emboss design element 16 in an embossed absorbent paper product12), is shown in more detail in FIG. 5A. As shown, in an embodiment,second emboss roll element 42 can be a word formed of line-embossedletters 64, where each letter comprises an open area 66 within the lineemboss. Representative line-embossed letters 64 are shown in more detailin FIGS. 6 and 8. FIG. 6 shows a detail of the first two letters of theword BOUNTY, as shown in FIG. 5A. As shown, each letter can have aline-emboss 56 perimeter which forms an outline shape of the givenletter. The line-emboss 56 perimeter can be an emboss element which canhave an average width WLE measured at the paper-contacting outer face Fof from about 0.020 inches to about 0.120 inches, including every 0.001inch increment between, such as, for example, 0.051 inches. The width ofthe line emboss perimeter emboss element can vary, including at thejunction of letters, such as at junction 68 where the line emboss 56element forms a common perimeter element for both the “B” and the “O” ofthe word BOUNTY.

As shown in FIG. 7, which is a representative cross sectional depictionof cross section 7-7 of FIG. 6, line embossments 56 can have a height Eof from about 0.050 inches to about 0.170 inches, including every 0.001increment in between, such as, for example, 0.130 inches. Lineembossments 56 can have sidewalls that can be angled by included angle Dof from about 10 degrees to about 55 degrees, including every integervalue of angle in between, including, for example, 20 degrees. The top,paper-contacting face F of line embossments 56 can be substantially flatand have a width WLE of from about 0.020 inches to about 0.120 inches,including every 0.001 inch increment in between, including, for example,0.030 inches.

Each letter 64 can comprise an open area 66 that for each letter can befrom about 9% to about 23% of the area encompassed by the full, outsideperimeter of the letter 64. For a given overall size measured from theoutside boundary of unbroken ridge elements 54 forming line embosselements, the open area 66 can vary depending on the width WLE of theline embossments 56, and, for certain letters, such as the “B” and the“O” shown in FIG. 6 the size of interior letter emboss elements 70. Inletters such as “V” which have no true “interior” portions for a letteremboss element 70, the area inside the “V” can be considered an interiorletter emboss element 70, as indicated by the dashed lines in FIG. 8.

The advantages of the line-embossed letters 64 of second emboss rollelements 42, of the present invention are many. First, a second embossdesign 16 made by line-embossed letters 64 of element second emboss rollelement 42 provides for excellent visually discernible embossimpressions in the absorbent paper product 12 because of the shadowingthat can be produced in relatively deep, narrow channels formed by thewalls of the embossed portion in the absorbent paper product 12, asshown in FIG. 1. The line embosses form a perimeter of each letter,which in a light incident on the paper, shows shadows and light portionsthat help enhance the visual aesthetic qualities of the embossed letters64.

Second, a line-embossed letter provides for excellent visuallydiscernible emboss impression without requiring excessive percent embossarea, which could lead to an unbalanced emboss roll 38. By way ofnon-limiting example, for the second emboss roll element 42 illustratedin FIG. 4, if the letters of the word BOUNTY were solid, i.e., filled,the percent emboss area of second emboss roll element 42 would be about20.3%, which is much greater than the 16.9% emboss area of the firstemboss roll elements 40. As line-embossed letters, the word BOUNTY asdepicted in FIG. 4 provides for a second emboss roll element 42 havingan emboss area of about 15.6%, which is about an 8% difference relativeto the first emboss roll element 40, which can be acceptable for properbalance of the emboss roll 38.

Further, a line-embossed letter 64 provides for the ability to keep moreof the absorbent portions of an absorbent paper product capable ofabsorbing. A filled letter would densify more area, in fact the entirearea of the letter, which could effectively cause the densified area tolose effective absorbent capacity, thereby reducing the overallabsorbent capacity of the absorbent paper product.

Finally, a line-embossed letter 64 can provide for a larger word to beembossed while minimizing the percent emboss area of the word, which canbe the second emboss design element 16. A larger word is more likely tobe seen by the user at the point of purchase, or at the time of use, forexample, when the user is tearing off a sheet to use. As discussedabove, a larger word (or logo or trademark) can be more easily seen bythe user as the user is tearing off a sheet, especially if, as isdescribed herein, the word traverses a line of weakness, such as aperforation.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation ofany document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect toany invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in anycombination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests ordiscloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning ordefinition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shallgovern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

1. A rolled absorbent paper product, said product comprising: a. anabsorbent paper substrate having at least one ply with an emboss patterncomprising two visually distinct emboss design elements disposed in aplurality of predetermined, spaced-apart positions across said ply; b.said two emboss design elements comprising a first emboss design elementoccupying all but at least one of said positions in a first repeatingpattern, and a second emboss design element occupying said at least oneof said positions not occupied by said first emboss design element; c.said second emboss design element being a word comprising a line embossdefining line-embossed letters wherein each line-embossed lettercomprises an open area within said line emboss; and, d. said first andsecond emboss design elements each have an emboss area of from about 7%to about 25% and a difference in emboss area relative to each other ofless than about 10%.
 2. The rolled absorbent paper product of claim 1,wherein said second emboss design element repeats in a regular pattern.3. The rolled absorbent paper product of claim 1, wherein both saidfirst and second emboss design elements repeat in a regular, repeatingpattern.
 4. The rolled absorbent paper product of claim 1, wherein saidline-embossed letters comprise lines having a width of from about 0.020inches to about 0.120 inches.
 5. The rolled absorbent paper product ofclaim 1, wherein one or both of said first and second emboss designelements comprise a linear segment, said linear segment having a vectorcomponent in the machine direction and a vector component in the crossmachine direction of said rolled absorbent paper product.
 6. The rolledabsorbent paper product of claim 1, wherein one or both of said firstand second emboss design element comprise a linear segment, said linearsegment having a vector component in a cross machine direction, saidlinear line segment making an angle of at least about 10 degrees off anaxis parallel to a machine direction of said rolled absorbent paperproduct.
 7. The rolled absorbent paper product of claim 1, wherein oneor both of said first and second emboss design element comprise a linearline segment and wherein less than 25% of a total length of said linearline segment is oriented in a machine direction of said rolled absorbentpaper product.
 8. The rolled absorbent paper product of claim 1, whereinone or both of said first and second emboss design element comprise alinear line segment and wherein less than 5% of a total length of saidlinear line segment is oriented in a machine direction of said rolledabsorbent paper product.
 9. The rolled absorbent paper product of claim1, wherein said word is a trademarked brand name for said rolledabsorbent paper product.
 10. The rolled absorbent paper product of claim9, wherein said trademarked brand name starts with a V or a B.
 11. Therolled absorbent paper product of claim 1, wherein said rolled absorbentpaper product comprises through-air-dried cellulosic tissue paper. 12.The rolled absorbent paper product of claim 6, wherein said rolledabsorbent paper product comprises uncreped cellulosic tissue paper. 13.A rolled absorbent paper product, said product comprising: a. anabsorbent paper having a plurality of individual sheets each comprisingat least one ply having an emboss pattern comprising two visuallydistinct emboss design elements disposed in a plurality ofpredetermined, spaced-apart positions across said ply, wherein adjacentof said individual sheets are separated by a line of weakness; b. saidtwo emboss design elements comprising a first emboss design elementoccupying all but at least one of said positions in a first repeatingpattern, and a second emboss design element occupying said at least oneof said positions not occupied by said first emboss design element; c.said second emboss design element being a word comprising letters; and,d. wherein said second emboss element at least partially traverses atleast one said line of weakness.
 14. The rolled absorbent paper productof claim 13, wherein said second emboss design element repeats in aregular pattern and at least one of said second emboss design elementsdoes not traverse at least one said line of weakness.
 15. (canceled) 16.The rolled absorbent paper product of claim 13, wherein said word is atrademarked brand name for said rolled absorbent paper product.
 17. Therolled absorbent paper product of claim 16, wherein said trademarkedbrand name starts with a V or a B.
 18. The rolled absorbent paperproduct of claim 13, wherein said rolled absorbent paper productcomprises through-air-dried cellulosic tissue paper.
 19. The rolledabsorbent paper product of claim 13, wherein said rolled absorbent paperproduct comprises uncreped cellulosic tissue paper.
 20. A rolledabsorbent paper product, said product comprising: a. a multi-plyabsorbent paper having a plurality of individual sheets each comprisingat least one ply having an emboss pattern comprising two visuallydistinct emboss design elements disposed in a plurality ofpredetermined, spaced-apart positions across said ply, wherein adjacentof said individual sheets are separated by a line of weakness; b. saidtwo emboss design elements comprising a first emboss design elementoccupying all but at least one of said positions in a first repeatingpattern, and a second emboss design element occupying said at least oneof said positions not occupied by said first emboss design element; c.said second emboss design element being one of a logo, trademark, orbrand name identifying a manufacturer or marketer of said rolledabsorbent product, said second emboss design element comprisingline-embossed letters wherein each line-embossed letter comprises anopen area within said line emboss, said line-embossed letters beingcomprised of line embossments having no MD oriented letter segments;and, d. wherein said rolled absorbent paper product comprises aplurality of second emboss design elements that each at least partiallytraverse one of said lines of weakness and at least one second embossdesign element that does not traverse one of said lines of weakness.